We put Chesterfield under the spotlight ahead of our visit to the Proact Stadium:

Rock Bottom

After relegation from Sky Bet League One last season, many expected Chesterfield to challenge for promotion this season - especially after some impressive summer recruitment.

However, that promise is yet to materialise and the Spireites currently sit rock bottom with only two wins to their name all season.

A poor start saw manager Gary Caldwell lose his job, with Jack Lester now attempting to guide the side away from relegation danger.

Recent form isn’t favourable, though, with Chesterfield having lost seven of their last eight Sky Bet League Two games.

And with only one win on home soil in all competitions, Lester will be keen to see his side begin to turn things around on their own patch this weekend.

Positive Signs

Despite the poor run of form, there are certainly some positives for Chesterfield fans to take - especially after the appointment of Lester in late September.

While the former Nottingham Forest striker may have guided his side to just the one league win so far, that triumph at Crawley certainly showed what his side are capable of.

The Spireites were also victorious at Rotherham in the Checkatrade Trophy and put in a promising performance at Cambridge last weekend.

So there are plenty of positives for Lester to take from his early days in the hotseat at the Proact Stadium, but now he needs his side turn their promise into results.

What Does History Tell Us?

The two sides haven’t met on a regular basis in the 21st century, but have been familiar foes in further history.

And it’s Chesterfield who edge a head-to-head comparison having picked up 35 wins compared to United’s 22, while 14 games have ended in draws.

Recent form seems to favour United, who have won three of the last four meetings between the two, including a 3-1 win in the 2015/16 League Cup in what was the last time the two sides faced off.

See highlights from that game below:

It’s Been Over Twenty Years ...

While the Cumbrians have excelled against the Spireites in recent years, their visits to Derbyshire aren’t generally too fruitful.

You have to go back to 1994/95 for the last time United won at Chesterfield, as they sealed a 2-1 triumph at Saltergate thanks to a David Reeves brace.

The Blues did claim victory at Chesterfield in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy en route to Wembley in 2009/10, but their most recent league visit to the Spireites was one to forget as the hosts ran out 4-1 winners - Lee Miller netting for Carlisle.

Ones to Watch

+ Ian Evatt - An experienced head, the centre back is now in his second spell with the Spireites have rejoined the club on a free transfer in 2013. Formerly of QPR and Blackpool, Evatt brings quality and leadership abilities to the Chesterfield backline and has a wealth of experience at a higher level. A regular this season, the defender will undoubtedly be key as Chesterfield move forward.

+ Robbie Weir - The Spireites captain, Weir only joined the club two days before the start of the 2017/18 season after a successful trial period. The former Burton Albion midfielder had taken time out of football to recover from a serious injury but seems to have no ill-effects having impressed so far this campaign.

+ Kristian Dennis - With seven goals to his name already this season, Dennis has definitely shown his worth as part of the Spireites’ squad. Having spent most of his career in non-league, Dennis’ impressive form with Macclesfield prompted Chesterfield to take a punt on the striker in 2016. And he hasn’t disappointed, netting 10 last season while putting in plenty of impressive performances.

MATCH REPORT: Chesterfield 2 - 2 United

United were at the Proact Stadium on Saturday afternoon for their latest Sky Bet League Two fixture.

Carlisle came alive after the break and got themselves in front, but in the end it was a share of the points as Chesterfield grabbed a late equaliser thanks to a sustained period of pressure.

United were without winger Reggie Lambe, who was on international duty with Bermuda as he captained his country in their match against Barbados.

Chesterfield were handed an early chance when a clearance from Liddle crashed into Briggs. Dennis was onto the loose ball and his pass invited Briggs to go for the shot. It was a tight angle and Bonham was able to drop low for a comfortable save.

Briggs went in the book for a late challenge on Liddle in what was a quiet opening spell, and Jamie Devitt needed treatment when he went down heavily having won a meaty challenge in the centre circle.

A free kick from deep gave United half a sight when the ball came off Jones and sat up nicely for Devitt. It was an awkward bounce and Lee watched it all the way as it skipped into his hands.

Chesterfield fashioned a good move when they found a way down the right flank, but Dennis was flagged offside as soon as the delivery from Barry entered the box. Carlisle responded with some one-touch stuff from Devitt, Adams and Joyce, but they also found themselves pulled back by the officials as Adams strayed just one step too far.

A weak header from Evatt from a Barry cross gave Bonham more catching practice and he wasted no time at all with his distribution with a huge kick which found Hope in space. He ignored calls from Adams for a through ball and was disappointed to see his skewed shot bend well wide.

Wide man Matt Briggs showed a lack of confidence when he took a clip forward on his toe. It opened up for a shot but he was never fully in control and it bobbled harmlessly behind.

The first half looked to be heading to a stalemate conclusion until Liddle was penalised for a foul on Kellett. Jack McCourt stepped up to take the 28-yarder and he surprised everybody when his low, drilled effort somehow beat both the wall and the keeper.

Chesterfield came again in time added on for the half when Briggs found space to deliver. Dennis touched it on, as did Weir, but Bonham made up space to make a block as Barry arrived late.

Striker Richie Bennett replaced Tom Miller for the start of the second half as Carlisle looked to impose themselves following a below par first 45 minutes.

United had a corner just two minutes after the restart but Grainger could only guide his header back at Lee as a half clearance spooned into his path.

The Cumbrians picked up the pace but headers from Bennett and Joyce were angled back across the face of goal with Chesterfield looking creaky at the back. Jamie Devitt caused real problems when he pounced on a loose ball and twisted his way to an excellent delivery.

Rowley lunged in to put it behind for a corner, but it was a short-lived reprieve as Adams bent a beauty of a delivery into the six-yard box. Captain Danny Grainger timed his run to perfection as he jumped to power home a header from close range.

A short corner routine almost worked for the visitors moments later when Devitt put Adams clean through on the angle. The wide man went for the shot but it was too close to Lee.

Chesterfield then broke with men to spare and O’Grady marked his arrival from the bench with a fierce shot which Bonham could only parry. Briggs followed up with a stunning strike which rattled the top of the bar.

The Spireites were suddenly on top and Bonham had to react late to prevent a swirling thunderbolt from McCourt from bulging the back of his net. Carlisle calmed the waters and they got themselves in front with a fabulous first goal for the club from Richie Bennett as he spun on the ball 30-yards out, having been spotted in space by Joyce. His left foot raker left Lee with no chance as it sent the away fans behind the goal wild.

O'Grady missed a great opening when he headed over from a Briggs cross as the hosts tried to find a way back, and Bonham was at his best moments later when he somehow got to a guided header from Dennis.

But the keeper could do nothing about the next header from Dennis as he got the slightest of touches from a McCourt cross to send it into the net. Bonham saved from Rowley as Chesterfield piled forward, and that was that as the sides battled their way to the draw.

Tickets are available on the day of the game from the away ticket office and do not go up in price. There are no cash turnstiles. Chesterfield strongly advise purchasing in advance to avoid queues on the day.

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Methods of purchase:

In person – come to the main ticket office in the Pioneer Foods Stand at the designated time. Ticket sales on home match days will be from the West Stand ticket office.

Post – send in a cheque for the correct amount, a covering letter and a stamped addressed envelope.

Phone – ring the ticket office on 0844 371 1921 at the designated times and pay with a credit / debit card. Calls to this line are charged at 7p per minute from a landline. Mobile charges may vary.

Please note - to post tickets out to customers who have made their purchase over the telephone there is an additional charge of 75p. All credit cards used will incur a £1 surcharge. The last day tickets will be posted is 5pm on Tuesday 24 October 2017.